That night Rebekah left for work at 6:30 p.m. and I settled back to enjoy an evening with the kids. For the first time in a long while I felt really confident about the future. Finally we were going to have little money coming in so we didn't have to worry all the time about making ends meet. Maybe we could even set up an IRA and start building a stock portfolio. My excitement grew as I contemplated what to do with our new found fortune. I got out a legal pad and mapped out a strategy. When it was done I wished Rebekah were home to share it with her. I put it aside and anxiously awaited her return.
At 11:05 p.m. I heard the garage door go up. I knew it must be Rebekah, but she was way early so I sensed something must be wrong. I rushed to the door to open it for her and as I swung the door open Rebekah was getting out of the car. She looked at me but didn't smile. I could instantly see that she was upset. Her face was pale, her eyes were swollen and she looked exhausted.
"Honey, what’s wrong?"
"Oh Stan, the most horrible thing happened tonight."
I put an arm around her and walked her inside.
"What happened? Come on in and sit down and tell me all about it. Can I get you a cup of coffee?"
I sat Rebekah down at the kitchen table and stood up waiting for her response.
"No, just some water."
"Okay, just a minute."
I got the water and sat it in front of her. She took a drink and then looked up at me. Tears were running down her eyes.